Peach tree named ‘Sunnirich’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
         1. The tree being a regular and productive bearer of large size fruit.   2. The tree with vigorous, upright growth.   3. Producing fruit with a high degree of attractive orange-red skin color.   4. Producing fruit with good storage and shipping quality.   5. Fruit with a mild, sweet, low-acid flavor and very good eating quality.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It wasagainst this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, are ‘Country Sweet’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,090),‘Rich Lady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290), ‘O'Henry’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.2,964), ‘June Lady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,022) and the proprietarypeach seedlings selections with the field identification numbers‘178LE186’ and ‘11GA1023’.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.from seed of a first generation cross between our two proprietaryseedling ‘178LE186’ and ‘11GA1023’. The seed parent (178LE186)originated from a cross between the peaches ‘Country Sweet’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 11,090) and ‘Rich Lady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290). The pollenparent (11GA1023) originated from a cross between the peaches ‘O'Henry’Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,964) and ‘June Lady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.3,022). A large number of seed from this first generation cross weregrown and budded to older trees of ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented),to accelerate rapid fruit production for evaluation. Under closeobservation, one such seedling, which is the present variety, exhibiteddesirable tree and fruit characteristic and was selected for asexualpropagation and commercialization in 1998.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peach tree wasby budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by usin our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows thatreproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics ofthe tree and its fruit are established and transmitted throughsucceeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) is of large size,vigorous upright growth and a productive and regular bearer of largesize, yellow flesh, clingstone fruit with mild, sweet, low acid flavorwith very good eating quality. The fruit is further characterized byhaving an attractive orange-red skin color, firm, yellow flesh, large insize and being relatively uniform in size throughout the tree. Incomparison to the proprietary seed parent (178LE186) the fruit of thenew variety is larger in size and is approximately 20 days later inmaturity. In comparison to the proprietary pollen parent (11GA1023), thefruit of the new variety has low acid compared to acidic, is moreuniform in size throughout the tree and is approximately 22 days earlierin maturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 10 year old tree and the colors are as nearlytrue as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of10 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, normally pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height            for economical harvesting of fruit. Average spread 3 meters.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters in height the            first growing season. Varies with soil type, fertility of            soil and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Crotch angle approximately 35°, increases            with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, fruit thinning and spacing            necessary for desired market size.        -   Bearer.—Regular, adequate set for 8 consecutive years. No            alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to allow            more sunlight to center of tree to enhance fruit color and            health of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 900 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 43.2 cm at 30.5 cm above            ground on a 10 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increase with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 3/2 to 2.5Y 3/4.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 18.0 cm at 1.3 meters            above ground.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. Mature growth            medium rough, roughness increases with age of growth.        -   Lenticels.—Medium to large. Average length 3.2 mm. Average            width 2.2 mm. Color 10YR 5/8 to 10YR 5/10. Average number 22            in a 25.8 sq cm area.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 5GY 6/6 to 7.5YR 4/4. Mature            growth varies from 10YR 3/4 to 2.5Y 3/4, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 165.9 mm. Average width 37.8 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly            indented over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower surface            relatively smooth except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 9.7 mm. Average width 1.4 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 5GY 4/6. Longitudinally grooved.            Surface — glabrous.        -   Stipules.—Average length 8.7 mm. Average number 2. Margin —            pectinate. Color 5GY 6/10.        -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — medium. Average length            1.2 mm. Average diameter 0.8 mm. Number — average number 4,            varies from 3 to 5. Located primarily on base of leaf blade,            and upper portion of petiole. Color varies from 5GY 5/6 to            5GY 4/6.        -   Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 4/8 to 5GY 3/6. Lower            surface varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5GY 4/6.        -   Midrib color.—Varies from 2.5GY 7/8 to 2.5GY 6/6.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 18.4 mm. Average diameter 10.4            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Form.—Conical, becoming elongated before opening.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 4.9 mm. Average width 1.2 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 5/8.        -   Color.—Varies from 7.5RP 8/6 to 7.5RP 7/8.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Mar. 3, 2008. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 12, 2008, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 18.8 mm. Average diameter            42.1 mm.        -   Petals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            large. Average length 21.7. mm. Average width 19.8 mm. Form            — orbicular, narrows at point of attachment. Margin —            sinuate. Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous. Color            varies from 5RP 8/6 to 7.5RP 9/2.        -   Sepals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            medium. Average length 6.6 mm. Average width 6.2 mm. Shape —            ovate, apex rounded. Margin — entire. Upper surface —            glabrous. Lower surface — pubescent. Color — upper surface            varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 2.5GY 5/8. Lower surface varies            from 2.5R 3/4 to 2.5R 2/4.        -   Stamens.—Average number — 39. Filament color varies from 5RP            9/2 to 5RP 8/6. Anther color varies from 2.5Y 8/6 to 10R            4/8.        -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 7/12 to 2.5Y            6/10.        -   Pistil.—Number — normally one. Surface — pubescent. Average            length 17.9 mm. Position of stigma average of 1.3 mm above            anthers. Color varies from 7.5Y 8.5/4 to 10Y 8/6.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate aroma.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 8/6 to 5RP 7/8.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—One.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.4 mm. Average width 1.2 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 2.5GY 5/8.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 1, 2008.        -   Date of last picking.—Jul. 8, 2008, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 68.7 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 80.4 mm. Average weight 255.6            grams; varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Suture.—Nearly smooth, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Very slightly lipped, nearly smooth.        -   Apex.—Slightly retuse.        -   Base.—Slightly retuse.        -   Cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 5.8 mm. Average diameter 16.8 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 9.9 mm. Average diameter 3.4            mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 2.5GY 5/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm and meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Good, comparable to the commercial peach variety            ‘Rich Lady’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290).        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, mild and sweet.        -   Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average 9.7°, varies slightly with amount of fruit per            tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Yellow, varies from 2.5Y 8/10 to 2.5Y 7/10.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 36.7 mm. Average width 30.8 mm.            Average depth 12.9 mm. Color varies frim 2.5Y 6/10 to 5R            3/10.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color yellow, varies from 5Y 8/6 to 5Y 8/8.            Overspread with 7.5R 4/8 to 7.5R 3/6.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Large. Average length 35.1 mm. Average width 27.3 mm.            Average thickness 21.7 mm.        -   Form.—Obovoid.        -   Base.—Varies from round to flat.        -   Apex.—Pointed. Average length 2.1 mm.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to            elongated.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth, extending from base toward apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—Varies from 10YR 6/6 to 10YR 5/8 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average length 18.0 mm. Average width            12.2 mm. Average depth 7.3 mm.        -   Shape.—Ovoid.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin.—Color varies from 5Y 8.5/6 to 7.5Y 9/4 when dry.-   Use: Dessert.    -   -   Market—Local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage at 38° to 42° F.    for 2 weeks without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss    of flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or flesh bruising    during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during    indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,    virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our    breeding program.

The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica),substantially as illustrated and described.